Errant traders fined Rs. 55m in six months

Legal action will be taken against traders who sell imported essential commodities at higher prices especially at a time when the Government has provided tax relief on several imported commodities, said a spokesman for the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

CAA officers will conduct raids on shops from time to time throughout the Country, CAA Chairman Rumy Marzook said.

He said that last week the Government reduced the gas price by Rs. 100 and the prices of big onion, potato, sugar, dry fish, canned fish and sprats have also been reduced.

He said that 4,000 shop keepers who violated the regulations of the CAA were arrested during the raids conducted in various parts of the country. During the past six months 23,000 raids were conducted by the CAA officers and errant shpokeepers were pined Rs. 55 million. -MN